FOXBORO, Mass. (April 26, 2005) -- The New England Patriots signed free-agent cornerback Chad Scott after he was released for salary-cap reasons by the Steelers following eight seasons in Pittsburgh.

They 30-year-old Scott was a starter for more than six seasons until injuring a knee in October. He was unable to win his job back after returning in December and spent the rest of the season and the playoffs as a reserve.

Scott, Pittsburgh's first-round pick in 1997, has 19 interceptions in 91 career games.